The long-injured national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen urgently needs match practice in order to jump on the World Cup train. Now there are rumors about a change of club again.
There is good news again from Marc-André ter Stegen. The national goalkeeper, who was injured for so long in the service of FC Barcelona, reported to head coach Hansi Flick at the beginning of December after recovering from a back injury and was even back in goal for the Catalans in a competitive game two weeks ago.
However, it was “only” a cup match against third division club CD Guadalajara, which ter Stegen’s team won 2-0. The goalkeeper couldn’t stand out much. In any case, it is difficult to judge what form the exceptional keeper is in.
Only two missions in June
Ter Stegen’s year was too marked by injuries. First the patellar tendon rupture, which took until spring to heal, then the back surgery in the summer. The Mönchengladbach native had to take a long break again.
In the few months in which he was healthy, he played twice for the national team in the Nations League finals in June, but also had to deal with transfer rumors during this time.
His club, for which he held out his fists for more than ten years, made it public that he would prefer to plan without him in the future. After all, the generous salary of a keeper who is in the late autumn of his career hurts a lot.
A year to forget for ter Stegen
So overall it was a year to forget for Marc-Andre ter Stegen. This will now change in 2026. The keeper, known for his extreme ambition, absolutely wants to play next year’s World Cup in the USA.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann even keeps a place free for him. After all, the deserving keeper endured his years of being number two behind Manuel Neuer more or less quietly and with dignity.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen plays a pass in the game against CD Guadalajara
Now the only thing that helps is match practice
The reward for this would be a place in the World Cup squad, but – that’s clear – Ter Stegen needs match practice for that. Nagelsmann made this unmistakably clear. “It’s important that he plays”Nagelsmann said at last, “Whether it’s at a top European club or not is not the all-important thing.”
In any case, this is where the transfer rumors come into play again. In the summer there were still renowned clubs like that Chelsea FC, Manchester City, Manchester United and Galatasaray Istanbul, who were reportedly vying for the German, he now has to deal with significantly less well-known interested parties.
Girona FC reportedly interested
At least if you believe the Spanish newspaper “Sport”. This brings FC Girona into play, who, as bottom of the Primera Division table, allegedly want to loan the German.
The courted man himself doesn’t want to know anything about it and would rather assert himself with the Catalans, as the usually well-informed newspaper “Mundo Deportivo” reports. Ter Stegen’s great ambition has already been discussed elsewhere. So it remains tricky, at least for the goalkeeper. When you go to the DFB you see things more calmly.
Relaxed attitude at the DFB
“In principle, Marc-André ter Stegen’s return to goal is still possible. But we have to see what his personal situation will be in the coming months“said DFB sports director Rudi Völler in an interview with Welt am Sonntag.
And if plan A with ter Stegen doesn’t work, then plan B (aumann) will take effect: “Oliver handles the whole situation really well“Völler said. “He’s totally relaxed about it and is happy that he’s playing. And then shows that you can rely on him. We’ll see what time brings.”